Automatic fetting machine



Nov. 1, 1960 F. E. QAMMERZELL, JR 2,958,163

AUTOMATIC FETTLING MACHINE Filed July 9. 1959 4 sheets-sheet 1 Fred E. Cammer'zelz, J'r

INVENTOR.

B/Y wwww A I TOR/VE] Nov. 1, 1960 F. E. CAMMERZELL, JR 2,958,163

AUTOMATIC FETTLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1959 .img e Fred .F.Cammerze ZZ, J1?

INVENTOR.

BY f7/ 74A/CJ TTORNEY Nov. 1, 1960 F. E. cAMMERzELL, JR 2,958,163

AUTOMATIC FETTLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 9, 1959 F'ed E. Cam/nerzeZZ, JF.

INVENTOR.

Arron/Ey Nov. 1, 1960 F. E. cAMMERzELL, JR 2,958,163

AUTOMATIC FETTLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9. 1959 AUroMArrc FnrrLiNG MACHINE Fred E. Cammerzell, Jr., 76 Federal City Road, Trenton, NJ.

Filed July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 825,905

1S Claims. (Cl. 515) This invention relates generally to grinding machines and equipment, and more particularly to machines for grinding irregularities from the edges of plates of square or other rectilinear shapes.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an efcient machine for the purpose of grinding burrs or iins from the top corner edges of clay tile immediately following the operations of forming the tile in a tile press and in cooperative relation with the pressing operations in such a manner as to render the combined operations of pressing and grinding the edges of the tile completely automatic.

In modern presses for forming conventional clay tile, the tile is pressed with the bo-ttom side up. After the dies become worn the pressing operation forms a slight burr or iin projecting `from the top corner edges of the tile which must be ground olf on rectilinear lines to bring the perimeter of the tile into smooth uniformity. Tile presses are also provided with dies for forming a plurality of parallel rows of tile in one cycle of operation, the rows including a middle or central row and one or more rows at each side, necessitatingnot only that the individual tile be separated, but also inverted to top side up position before engagement with grinding Wheels for grinding the burrs or fins from the top edges. Moreover, after the burrs on two parallel edges have been ground olf the tile must be rotated to a right or other angular position for grinding the other two edges, if the tile is rectangular, or the next adjacent two edges if the tile is of hexagonal or other rectilinear shape. Obviously a rectangular tile is rotated only once, whereas, for tile having more than two pairs of parallel sides additional units for rotating and grinding the tile must be provided.

Therefore, a more specific object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the purpose mentioned having central tile conveyor means traveling from the front to the rear of the machine, and means in conjunction with and cooperative with the conveyor for automatically performing the following operations on newly pressed tile pushed onto the front of the machine by the dust tray or carrier of a tile press, namely, (l) arranging the individual tile into a single row in transit on the'conveyor; (2) brushing the bottom surface of the tile; (3) inverting each tile of the row to top side up position; (4) brushing two parallel edges of each tile; (5) grinding the burrs from the same two edges; (6) rotating each tile to bring the next adjacent parallel edges into alignment with the conveyor; (7) brushing the other two edges of each tile; (8) grinding the burrs from the same two edges; and (9), if the tile is rectangular, delivery of the completed tile to a suitable receptacle at the rear end of the conveyor. If the tile is hexagonal, for example, it will be subjected to another rotating and grinding operation rearwardly of the last previous grinding operation.

The operations mentioned are referred to in the trade as fettling operations. Therefore my improved machine may properly be designated as an automatic fettling machine.

States Patent O fio Patented Nov. 1, 1960 It should here be mentioned that the dies of modern tile presses are automatically supplied with clay dust in the correct quantities and sequence by means of a dust tray or carrier, arranged for longitudinal, rapid reciprocative movements across the flat top surface of the dies to shake clay dust into the dies for the next layer of tile. Upon the lirst forward movement of the dust tray in each pressing cycle the front end of the tray will abut the edges of the nearer tile pressed in the preceding cycle, and raised by the lower plunger of the `die to a position ush with the top surface of the dies and pushes the entire layer of the several rows of tile from the die. My machine is designed for installation with its front end immediately adjacent a press die, so that the dust tray will push each central row of tile onto the rearwardly traveling belt conveyor and the rows on each side on-to stationary horizontally flat plates or surfaces on the front of the machine on each side of the conveyor. From that point the operations above numbered from (l) to (9) proceed in the order mentioned.

Modern clay tile presses are now entirely automatic in operation, so that a single attendant can take care of the operation of several presses. Since the operation of my automatic fettling machines in conjunction with such automatic tile presses can be controlled by the same press operator, it being necessary only for him to start and stop the machines when necessary, accordingly, the use of my improved machine greatly reduces the cost of the pressing and fettling operations.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear or bepointed out in the following specification, in which Vreference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which Fig. l is a general plan view of my improved fettling machine showing a layer of square tile entering the machine, and with a cylindrical bottom surface brush omitted;

' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing in broken lines the manner of rotating a tile to a right angular position;

Fig. 3 is a detail section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. l, but showing a tile in section as slightly lifted at one side by the rotating device;

Fig. 4 is a secion taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1 but showing lthe cylindrical bottom surface brush in position;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a frontal end view of the machine, partly broken away;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line '7-7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the device, as shown in Fig. 4, for inverting the tile to top side up, and showing a tile just before dropping into the surved deilector;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8, this View, except for the showing of the tile, being the same as in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of the front end of the machine as shown in Fig. 1 with a layer of three rows of tile immediately after entering the machine, and with the cylindrical bottom surface brush in position;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing further automatic movement of the tile;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Figs. 10 and l-l showing the nal alignment of the individual tile in a Single row;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of la tile showing a burr or n around the top edges;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view of one of the grinding or fettl-ing wheels and motors;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing the tile as in Fig. 13 after the burr or lin has been removed from all sides by the grinding wheels; and

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 2,

3 but showing a modiication for grinding the burrs from long rectangular tile.

While in the accompanying drawings my improved machine is shown as designed for fettling rectangular tile, it is believed to be obvious that it can easily be adapted for fettling hexagonal or other rectilinear tile having adjacent parallel edges. Moreover, although the embodiments of my invention will be described for the purpose of -fettling clay tile it is mso applicable to the grinding olf burrs or fins lfrom the edges of plates of any kind such, for example, las metal plates formed by punches or molds in multiple, parallel rows.

It should also be understood that while in the drawings the machine is shown in two sections at right angles to each other, the two sections may be arranged in any desired angular relation; also that the machine may be made in a single straight section for locations where space will permit.

It should be further understood that certain conventional types of air cylinders actuated by conventional types of electrical valves, switches and motors, all available on the market, are employed in the operation of my improved machine, but otherwise form no part of my invention. Therefore, such instrumentalities are. illustrated only exteriorly or schematically and described only with respect to their function and operation for the purposes intended.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the base of my automatic fettling machine, indicated generally by the numeral 10, includes two sections 12 and 14 placed at right angles to each other. However, as previously mentioned, the sections may be disposed at any desired relative angle. Also the base may be formed in only one extended section for locations where that may be desirable.

As illustrated, each section is formed with a pair of transversely spaced rails 16 between and on which various shafts, conveyorsv and other operating elements are mounted, each section having adjustable legs 18 for supporting it above a floor. Section 12 is installed with its front end closely adjacent to and facing the rear end of a tile press 20 having, in the press shown, three parallel rows of dies 22, the middle row being longitudinally colaxial with the major axis of section 12. A single belt 24, of substantially lesser width than the width or length of the tile T formed in the dies 22, is mounted on shafts 26 and 28, this belt extending from the front to a point some distance rearwardly of the machine, and being supported thereunder by a ymetal plate 30. A pair of narrow belts 32 is mounted on shafts 34 and 36, these belts being disposed on each side of the belt 24 and extending from a point forwardly of the. rear end of that belt to a point some distance rearwardly thereof, the distance be- Itween their outer edges being substantially equal to the width or length of a tile T. A narrow central belt 38 is mounted on shafts 40 and 42 and extends from a point intermediate the ends of belts 32 to la point near the rear end of section 12. Another narrow belt 39 is also mounted on shafts 40 and 42 outside the right hand belt 32. Mounted on the base at the ends of the belts 32 and in substantially coincidental parallel relation therewith is a pair of tile supporting tracks 44, extending from the rear ends of the belts 32 to the front edge of a thin walled semi-cylindrical tile deflector 46 mounted on the base rails 12. This deilector is in axially parallel relation with the belts referred and extends equidistantly across and above another single belt 40 mounted on shafts 50, 51, 52 and 53 journaled on base sections 12 and 14 and extending from a point below the rear of the deflector 46 to the rear end of section 14 of the base, the horizontal plane of this belt being below that of the belts on section 12 and in tangential relation with the bottom edge of the deector 46, the open front of which faces the edges of the belts in section 12. The belt 48 is supported by a metal plate 54 on the rails of section 14 of the base. The conveyor belts 3. are operated by means of a motor 56 and suitable belt or chain drives 58 and 60 (Figs. l and 7).

At the front of section 12 is a pair of horizontal plates 62 on opposite sides of the belt 24, the top surfaces of which coincide with the top surfaces of belts 24, 32, 38, the tracks 44 and lthe dies 22, so that when tile T is formed in the dies and raised by the lower plungers of the press (not shown) the layers of tile can be automatically pushed from the dies onto the belt 24 and the plates or surfaces 62 by the conventional dust tray 64 on its first forward movement in the next cycle of pressing operation.

As previously mentioned, and as clearly shown in Figs. l, l0, 1l and 12, the layers o-f tile T are pressed in bottom side up relation. As shown in Fig. l, the three parallel rows of tile are pushed by the dust tray 64 ont-o the iront end of the belt 24 and the surfaces 62. The middle row will immediately be conveyed toward the rear of the base 10 by the belt 24, as shown in Fig. 10, the tile T passing under an electrical switch 66 which activates a timing relay 618 and which in turn activates an electrical valve 70 connected in an electrical circuit 72 (Fig. 5'), to operate an air cylinder 74 having its piston 76 connected to a wiper blade 78 transversely movable `across one of the surfaces 62. The wiper blade pushes one outside row of tile onto the belt 24, as shown in Fig. 11. As this row of tile passes under the switch 66 it causes timingrelay 80 to be activated, and in turn activateV electrical valve 82, operate air cylinder 84 through its piston rod 85 and move wiper S6 to push the last row of tile onto belt 24, as shown in Fig. 12. Subsequent cycles of operation will automatically be repeated in the same order mentioned.

As shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9, an inclined track 88 is pivotally mounted at one end on a cross bar 90 Within the base 10, and along the outer edge of the deiiector 46, this track being inclined rearwardly of the conveyors described and in position for the tile to ride over it near the edge of the tile opposite the open front of the deilector. The purpose of this track is to invert each -tile T to top side up position and then deposit it on the belt 48 of section 14 while in transit. A pair of resilient rollers 92 is mounted axially of the deiiector 46 so that as the tile is tipped over toward the back wall of the deflector the rollers will prevent the tile from falling backwards out of the open front of the deilector.

In section 14 of the base are mounted successive pairs of axially projecting circular brushes 94 and angular grinding wheels 96 operated by motors 98 and belt 100, for first brushing the edges of the tile on two parallel edges and then grinding the burrs or ns 102 (Fig. 13) from the top corner edges of the tile, as shown in detail in Figs. 14 and 15, while the tile is in transit on the belt 48. Rearwardly of the last grinding wheel 96 is means for rotating the tile to a right angular position so that the other two edges (assuming the tile to be rectangular) can be brushed and ground. Such means include a thin blade 104 adjustably mounted on the base 10 with its free end projecting partially across the belt 48, and a pair of Vertical guide strips 106 and 108 disposed on each sideof the belt, to guide a tile in alignment with the belt. The guide strip or wall 108 opposite the free end of the blade 104 is outwardly offset as shown at 110 to permit clearance of the corner of the tile during its rotation. The guide strips 106 and 108 :are adjustable toward and from the belt 48 by means of supporting screws 109. As shown in detail in Fig. 2, when the forward corner of the tile T reaches the edge of the blade, which may preferably be outwardly tapered, the tile will ride upon the blade which will exert a frictional dragging action thereon, so that as the belt proceeds the tile will be rotated, as indicated by the'curved arrow and broken lines until the leading edge comes into alignment with and against the guide Wall 106 and continues its rearward travel on the belt Vin that position, thereby presenting the other two edges for the brushing and grinding operations.

Rearwardly of the blade 104 is another pair of brushes 94 and grinding wheels 96 similar to those already described for brushing and grinding the other parallel edges of the tile. Thence the tile will be conveyed rearwardly to a suitable receptacle (not shown) at the end of the belt 48.

As shown in Figure 16, the machine may be adapted to the grinding o-f long rectangular tile T by conveying the tile crosswise through section 12, employing a narrower belt 48a in section 14, and after rotating the tile conveying it lengthwise through the second brushing and grinding operations.

Although a hexagonal tile is not shown in the drawings it is believed to be obvious that since such tile has adjacent parallel sides the procedure of brushing and grinding tile of that shape requires only an additional rotating unit and additional pairs of brushes and grinding wheels of the same character used for square tile.

As shown in Fig. 14, the motors 98 are provided with screw means 112 for axially adjusting the grinding wheels toward and from the lbelt 48. The brushes 94 are also axially adjustable by means of screwthreaded shafts 114.

Roller guide units 116 each containing a number of vertically journaled, resilient rollers 118, are installed on section 14 on the opposite sides of belt 48 in `front of the grinding wheels 96 for holding the tile against edgewise movement from the wheels during the grinding operations. These units are adjustable toward and from the belt 48 by means of screws 120. Also pairs of resilient rollers 122 are journaled horizontally on section 14 opposite the grinding wheels 96 for holding the tile iirmly against the metal plate supported belt 48 during the grinding operations. Various guide strips indicated generally by the number 124 are installed in vertical relation on the sections 12 and 14 on each side of the belts 24 and 48 where needed for guiding the edges of tile in aligned relation with the belts while in transit thereon. These guide -strips are adjustable toward and from the ybelts by means of screw supports 126.

A cylindrical brush 128 is transversely journaled in a pair of vertically adjustable supports 130 on section 12 of the base forwardly of the dellector 46 yfor the purpose of brushing the bottom surface of the tile T before it is inverted to top side up position, the brush being driven through a pulley 132 on shaft 28 and belt 134.

The belts 24 and 134 are driven through lbelt 136, and belts 32 are driven through belt 138 both of which are in turn driven through belts 3S and 39 on the shaft 42, which latter is driven by the motor 56.

The base section 12 can be cast with llat surfaces at the front as a substitute for the plates 62. The entire base may be inclosed in a casing leaving only the top portion exposed. Also, as previously mentioned sections 12 and 14 may be disposed at any desired angle; or the entire base may be made in one straight section, if desired.

From the `foregoing description it will be seen that, with my automatic fettling machine, layers of rectilinear tile can be received on the plates 62, or corresponding ilat surfaces, and the conveyor belt 24, directly from la tile press in multiple rows parallel with the conveyor in top side down relation, brushed on the bottom side, inverted to top side position, brushed and ground on all parallel edges while the tile is in constant transit on the conveyors and discharged at the end of the machine without any manual intervention. It will also be seen that such operations can be performed on hexagonal or other many sided tile having adjacent pairs of parallel edges.

Obviously various changes or modiiications can be made in my improved machine without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments of my invention shown and described are intended to be illustrative only, and restricted only by the appended claims.

I claim: j

1. A machine of the class described for receiving at its front end, directly from a tile press, at least three parallel rows of rectilinear tile, having pairs ofl parallel edges, in bottom side up relation, arranging into and conveying said tile in a single row to the rear end of the machine, inverting the tile to top side up relation and trimming the top corner edges of the tile while in transit, said machine comprising a horizontal elongated base hav ing a belt conveyor traversing its longitudinal axis for receiving thereon the middle row of tile and also having flat surfaces on opposite sides of the front end of said conveyor for receiving thereon the other two rows of tile, a pair of opposed wiper blades on said base for abutment with the outer longitudinal edges of tile thereon, means on saidv base connected with said blades for eiecting independent movements thereof to force the outer rows of tile onto said belt conveyor; and means on said base for successively inverting and grinding the top corner edges of two parallel sides of tile traveling on said belt conveyor, then rotating the tile to a different angular horizontal position and grinding the top edges ofother parallel sides thereof.

2. A machine as claimed in claim l in which the means for eifecting independent movement of the wiper blades includes air cylinders mounted transversely on the base, said cylinders having piston rods connected to said blades and air pressure supply conduits communicating with a source of air pressure, electrical control valves in said conduits, an electrical switch mounted on the base above the belt conveyor and actuated by contact with the tile passing thereunder, said switch and said electrical valves being connected in an electrical circuit.

3. A machine as claimed in claim l in which the means for inverting the tile to top side up relation includes a thin walled semi-cylindrical deflector having its axis parallel to and with its .open side facing the edge of the belt conveyor and also including an inclined track member within said deector for engagement with the outer portion of the tile, causing it to rise and tip over in the deliector into top side up relation on said conveyor.

4. A machine as claimed in claim l in which the means ,for grinding the first parallel sides of the tile includes a pair of angular grinding wheels mounted on the base on opposite sides of the belt conveyor rearwardly of the means for inverting the tile.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for rotating the tile to a different angular position consists of combination of a thin blade mounted on the base and projecting partially across the belt conveyor rearwardly of the rst angular grinding wheels and a pair of vertical guide walls on said base, the wall opposite the free end of said blade being outwardly offset to permit rotation within the wall of a tile on said blade. t

6. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for grinding the second two parallel sides of the tile includes a pair of angular grinding wheels mounted on opposite sides of the base rearwardly of the means for rotating the tile.

7. A machine as claimed in claim l in which the belt conveyor includes a single endless belt extending from the -front to a point substantially rearwardly of the front end of the base, a pair of narrower belts spaced equidistantly on each side of the longitudinal axis and extending from a point forwardly of the rear end of said single belt to a point forwardly of the means for inverting the tile, a single narrow belt extending along the longitudinal axis from a point intermediate the ends of the two narrow belts to a point substantially forwardly of the means for inverting the tile and a pair of stationary tile supporting tracks flush with the top of said conveyor and spaced on each side of the axis, and extending between the rear ends of the two narrow belts and the end of the semi-cylindrical deector.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the base and the belt conveyor are in two sections disposed in angular relation and with the belt conveyor inthe rearmost'section below the plane of the conveyor in the forward section.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 1 and including guide members on each side of the belt conveyor, between which the tile travel in closely edge guided relation.`

10. A machine as claimed invclaim 1 in which the base includes a pair of parallel, transversely spaced horizontally extending rails provided with iloor supporting legs.

11. A machine as claimed in claim 1 `and including axially projecting circular brushes horizontally journaled on the base forwardly of the grinding wheels and facing the edges of the belt conveyor for brushing the edges of the tile in advance of the grinding operation.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 1 and including a cylindrical transversely journaled brush onV the base above the belt conveyor forwardly of the means for inverting the tile for brushing the bottom surfaces of the tile.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 1, and including pairs of resilient rollers journaled on said base above the belt conveyor opposite the means for grinding the edges of the tile for holding the tile against the conveyor during the grinding operation. Y

14. A machine as claimed in claim 3 and including a pair of resilient rollers journaled on the base interiorly of andvparallel with the semi-cylindrical rd'eector. to prevent the tile from falling out of the openfront'oif the deflector.

`15. A machine as claimed in claim'4 Yand including means for axially adjusting the grinding Wheels toward and from the belt conveyor.

16. A machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the thin blade is tapered from its tile engaging edge to facilitate entry of the tile thereon. Y

17. A machine `as claimed in claim 9 and including means for adjusting the guide members toward and'from the belt conveyor.

18. A machine as claimed in claim 11 and including means for axial adjustment of the cylindrical brushes toward Vand yfrom the belt conveyor.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,727,863 Clifford Sept. 10, 1929 2,315,670 Tascher Apr. 6, 1943 2,630,951 Slightam Mar.-10, 1953 2,673,652 Steadman Mar. 30, 1954l 2,732,590 Le Clercq Jan. 31, 1956 

